HND Textile – Higher National Diploma in Fibre Art, Ballyfermot College of Further Education

Its that time of the year again when interviews for the 1st round places have just been completed for the courses at Ballyfermot College of Further Education. We really enjoyed seeing the portfolios of applicants and meeting everyone during last week. The applications are now re-opened for Phase 2, so if you are interested in any courses, including the Textile Fibre Art Course, please apply online at http://www.bcfe.ie, before the closing date: 24th April 2015

We have a few exciting things coming up in the next few weeks, which we will be featuring on our blog….so stay tuned for that. One of those is our Graduate Show, which features the work from 2nd Year Textile, Illustration & Graphic Design students. We are looking forward to returning to Farmleigh in the Phoenix Park again this year and the exhibition will run from 19th May 2015. The students are currently working really hard at developing their final pieces for the exhibition, which promises to be a visually rich and varied collection from all three disciplines. We will be posting the details and some sneak peeks on here in the very near future!

We are delighted to feature a very recent graduate this week in our Graduate Profile, Rebecca Deegan. Rebecca, while a student on the course, displayed a strong interest in and a great handling of mixed media and painting. Her drawing skills and ability to create mood and atmosphere in her work were always strong points. This has remained and has been pursued even further in her most recent collection. Since leaving the Textile Fibre Art course, Rebecca has been extremely busy creating and showcasing work in various locations, both in group shows and a solo artist. (See Rebecca’s C.V. below). She is also currently working as an assistant at the Shimoda Centre, Portlaoise, aiding in art workshops for children.

Rebecca at her most recent exhibition beside ‘Adrasteia’, Acrylics On Canvas

Mainly concerned with the human figure, Rebecca aspires to create atmospheric pieces using the face and body as her inspiration. Her current selection of work focuses mainly on the face, particularly the expression in the eyes of her subject. She uses mostly acrylic and oil paints, and sticks to a restricted palette. Observing how the light falls upon her subject is an important part of her paintings. She strives to use strong and dramatic lighting to achieve her desired outcome and to create contrasting tones.

‘Sorceress Of The Blood Moon’, Acrylics On Canvas Board

‘The Red Lady’, Acrylics On Canvas

‘The Wizard Of Umber’, Acrylics On Canvas Board

‘Somniatis’, Acrylic And Oil On Board

Rebecca’s interest in portraiture as well as the full figure has led her to explore the character and personality of her sitters. Additionally, this has progressed to a series of detailed ‘eye’ paintings (see header) which are full of expression, if sometimes unsettling as they stare out from the frame at the viewer. They possess different qualities and are beautifully painted in a highly realistic manner, some appearing frightened or sad, some challenging and serene.

In support of this figurative painting, Rebecca consistently draws to update her skills. This allows Rebecca to further explore various media, grounds and poses on different scales.

Figure Study

We really look forward to seeing what Rebecca does in the future…………

To see more of Rebecca’s work or to contact her regarding commissions:

Go to her website: http://www.rebeccadeegan.com

Or her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/rebeccadeeganartist

Or email Rebecca: rebeccadeeganartist@hotmail.com

Rebecca’s C.V:

Full Time Education
2011 – 2013: Higher National Diploma in Fibre Art and Textile Design
Ballyfermot College of Further Education
2010 – 2011: Art, Craft and Design (FETAC Level 5)
Abbeyleix Further Education Centre
Work Experience
Sept 2014 – present: Shimoda Centre, Hynds Square, Portlaoise.
Assistant in children’s art workshops + adult classes.
February 2013: Primary School Drawing Class at Mountmellick Library.
Taught basic drawing skills to primary school pupils.
Solo Exhibitions
March 2015: Rebecca Deegan – Solo Show
Mountmellick Library, Mountmellick, Co. Laois
January 2015: A Collection of Artwork by Rebecca Deegan
Naas Arts and Culture Centre, Naas, Co. Kildare
Selected Group/Joint Exhibitions
November 2014: Dunamaise Arts Centre – Open Submission
Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
October 2014: Encourage – Group Show
Shimoda Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
July 2014: Feile an Phobail Exhibition
St Mary’s University, Belfast
July 2014: Queer As Folk – Group Show
White Lady Art Gallery, Wellington Quay, Dublin
November 2013: Dunamaise Arts Centre – Open Submission
Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
May 2013: Barking Dog – BCFE Graduate Show
Avenue Road Gallery, South Circular Road, Dublin
February 2013: Dreams, Nightmares, Fears and Freud
Joint Exhibition – Rebecca Deegan and Donna Kearns
Mountmellick Library and Gallery, Mountmellick, Co. Laois
July 2012: Dreams, Nightmares, Fears and Freud
Joint Exhibition – Rebecca Deegan and Donna Kearns
Abbeyleix Library and Gallery, Abbeyleix, Co. Laois
December 2011: Dreams, Nightmares, Fears and Freud
Joint Exhibition – Rebecca Deegan and Donna Kearns
Templemore Library and Gallery, Templemore, Co. Tipperary
May 2011: Abbeyleix F.E.C. End of Year Show
Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Publications:
July 2014: HeadSpace Magazine: Issue 3
‘Anxious’ – Acrylic painting published

Last week, the Textile Fibre Art students enjoyed another guest lecture, this time entitled ‘Launching & Selling Design-Led Products To Market’ by Dena Nolan, a freelance consultant for enterprise.

Dena has been working in the sales, marketing and innovation space for over a decade and has worked with companies across the world. Now an independent contractor she has a significant portfolio of results-focused projects working in areas such as producing a quality profitable product, maintaining and developing sales, while also anticipating and understanding the buyers/ retailers, needs and requirements. She has worked with a portfolio of clients on trade and consumer shows. Dena has hosted , staged and facilitated consumer and trade exhibitions at National & International Level as well as worked in Permanent Trade Showrooms. She has a significant results-based methodology in mind focusing on her clients’ requirements at all times.

Her unique negotiating and development skills were developed in the property market, subsequently transitioning into product design led field whilst working in the USA, for high end luxury interiors business. Her previous positions have involved engaging with (UK), Sea World/ Busch Parks (USA) Notre Dame (USA) Marks & Spencers (UK), Kilkenny Group (Ireland), House of Fraser (Ireland) Meadows & Byrne(Ireland) to name a few.

Having experience as being both the buyer and seller, Dena understands the complexities involved in the logistics and producing a quality profitable product, maintaining and developing sales but also anticipating and understanding the buyers/ retailers, needs and requirements.

To our students, Dena delivered an energetic and interactive day-long programme on understanding the strategy development and planning for proposed artifacts and products. This workshop included advice on developing and refining research, critically reviewing a market and sales strategy. The students were enthused and became more focused on the further potential of their own artifacts, which are currently being evolved. Dena immediately established a connection and understanding with the students and they found her guidance highly beneficial to the direction of their own work.

Dena Advises Students

Dena’a Lecture Begins..

We are delighted to continue our Graduate Profile this week, with another of our highly successful students, Emma Noonan.

Emma has consistently built her portfolio of work since she left the Fibre Art course, firstly as a student of G.M.I.T. and then as an independent maker. This is a testament to the hardworking attitude she always displayed as a student and maintains as a professional artist. Emma has returned to B.C.F.E. regularly to openly share her advice with students and to impart her skills and experience, which they have found invaluable.

‘Blue Cluster’

‘Blue Cluster: Detail’

From a very young age Emma always had a keen interest in art and after secondary school she began her college career in B.C.F.E. studying for a Higher National Diploma in Fibre Art. After B.C.F.E., Emma went on to G.M.I.T. Galway and studied for an Ordinary Degree in Fine Art & Design for three years, finishing off her college career with an add on Honours Degree in Applied Design in Textiles.

Moving back to her family home in Delvin Co, Westmeath, Emma began her career as an independent artist. Emma took part in exhibitions with G.M.I.T., showcasing her work at New Designers in London and at The Knitting & Stitching Show Dublin in 2010. She also set up a solo exhibition in Trim Co, Meath, where she was approached by local TD Ray Butler to exhibit during Trims St Patricks Day celebrations in 2011.

Building up connections during this time with the owners of The Garden Gallery (now the Purple Raven Art Gallery) in Delvin, lead to two pieces being sold to the O.P.W. These pieces were entitled ‘Ornamented’ and were from Emma’s graduate collection. They are now part of the Irish State Art Collection. One piece hangs in Trim’s O.P.W. buildings and the other piece hangs in the offices of the Taoiseach. This was a huge start to Emma’s career in the art world and she has continued to work independently, inspired by her surroundings, for the past four years as a Textile artist.

‘Ornamented’

In her practice so far, Emma has created a collection of delicately painted silk scarves, which have been exhibited at various design and craft fairs and as part of a Crafts Council of Ireland Exhibition. In addition Emma has created a collection of beautifully detailed, handmade paper embroidered butterflies, which have travelled across Ireland and Northern Ireland as part of group and solo exhibitions.

Hand Painted Silk Scarf

Embroidered Butterfly, Handmade Paper & Stitch

Continually looking to enhance her own work and its development, Emma has involved herself in business courses, product development courses, ‘Artist In The Community’ work and craft groups. At the moment Emma is working as an Art Technician, while continuing her personal work.

‘Release’, Strong Women Exhibition

In her work, Emma enjoys the combination of traditional textile techniques and fine art and continues to draw and paint to explore new ideas. During her college years, Emma studied the various approaches of textile making, fine art and crafts, which included embroidery, handmade paper with embellishments and batik paper. Emma has continued to use these techniques in her work and practice to date.

‘Scarlet Tiger Moth’, Painting

‘Parthenice Tiger Moth’, Painting

‘Death’s Head Hawk Moth’, Painting

Below are specific details of Emma’s experience so far:

Made in Westmeath Member 2012-2014

Crafts Council of Ireland Member 2010-Present

Sponsored by Westmeath County Council awarded the ‘Artist Bursary Award’, 2012, 2013, 2014

 Art Technician – Internship with Scoil Mhuire Trim, Co Meath, Since November 2015
Artist in The Community – St Colmcille’s National School, Gainstown Mullingar. 12 week artist in the community Textile project, 2014

Exhibitions :

Strong Women Exhibition – Purple Raven Art Gallery Delvin Co. Westmeath, 2014
Art Source – Solo exhibition representing BCFE as past Graduate RDS Dublin,2013
Culture Night – Exhibition at The Garden Gallery, Delvin Co. Westmeath, 2013
Easter Art Expo – Group Exhibition at The Higher Bridges Gallery, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh,2013
Nature through Art – Group Exhibition WWT Castle Espie Gallery, Comber, Co. Down, 2013
Trasna 111 – Group Exhibition Ennistymon Courthouse Gallery, Co. Clare,2013
Art Source – Gallery Exhibition as member of the Garden Gallery Delvin, Co. Westmeath, 2013
Beauty in Nature – Exhibition of Textiles in conjunction with the CCOI & GANS. On display at the Knitting & Stitching Show RDS & Ballyroan Library, 2013 & 2014

Design & Craft Shows

The National Craft & Design Fair – 2012, 2013, 2014.
Knitting & Stitching Show – 2010, 2012, 2014.
New Designers – 2010.

Publications & Interviews

The Metro Eireann Newspaper – Fashion Forward with Tolu Omoyele Style Patrol “The Pattern for Success” 15th ~ 31st October 2012. Vol 13 issue 24 pages 18 & 19, metroeireann.com. Graduate Collection.
The Liffey Champion Newspaper – Report on Kilcock Golf Club, Art & Craft Fair Charity event, By: Emer Kelly. 25th ~ 26th of May 2013.
Art Review of Easter Expo – Higher Bridges Gallery, Enniskillen, April~2013. By: Jenny Cathcart.
Fireside Sounds with Marian Shanley West – Ireland’s first live web TV channel provider. Feb 14th 2013.